For the first time since the Olympics, Russia had both Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin in their line-up. Russia defeated France 3-0, but the two superstars did not skate exclusively together. Malkin was paired with Viktor Tikhonov and Nikolai Kulyomin, while Ovechkin skated on the second line with Sergei Plotnikov and Vadim Shipachyov.

“I wasn’t jeopardizing my health,” he continued. “I knew in case of a collision the brace would protect me. I had collision in the first period, and I realized the leg felt all right. There was no pain at all, and I was not on any painkillers.”

Ovechkin also revealed that he did indeed talk to the Washington Capitals’ team doctor before the game. “There were no orders forbidding anything,” Ovi said. “There was advice, but what specifically I can not tell you. Everything depends on the situation.”

In regard to not playing late in the game, Ovechkin said, “We had an agreement with Znarok. If the outcome is assured, I could sit on the bench and rest.”

Russia, who remains the last unbeaten team at the worlds, will face the winner of the Sweden-Belarus game on Saturday.

Ovi says he was "about 90%", the brace protected his leg well but made for awkward skating. Will try to play without it next game #Caps